Things to keep in mind about PAPP-A . quantification results

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Van Thanh - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital
PAPP-A is a placental-derived glycoprotein macromolecule that is produced in high concentrations by the trophoblast during pregnancy. The concentration of PAPP-A in maternal serum increased gradually with gestational age.

1. How much PAPP-A is good?

PAPP-A levels are determined based on an enzyme-labelled chemiluminescence immunoassay, which is part of the Double test (PAPP-A, free bHCG) kit currently included in the tests. Routinely specified in maternity packages with the goal of safety for the mother and the health of the baby. These tests are very important for the diagnosis and treatment of obstetricians and gynecologists, especially in pregnant women at high risk of birth defects.
This is a test kit to help screen for the risk of Down syndrome (3 chromosomes 21), Patau syndrome (3 chromosomes 13), Edwards syndrome (3 chromosomes 18), the risk of neural tube defects (closed spine). not sealed) and anencephaly (a fetus without a brain); The results obtained will be calculated together with the mother's age, weight, height of the mother, and the age of the fetus,... thanks to a specialized software built on the basis of millions of studies - survey of obstetricians to be able to assess the risk of fetal birth defects.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, if the fetus has Down syndrome, the concentration of PAPP-A in the mother's blood will decrease, while in the second trimester, the concentration of PAPP-A will remain normal or only slightly decreased, so PAPP-A is only used during the first trimester of pregnancy for prenatal screening.
During pregnancy, the normal value of PAPP-A parameter in pregnant women's blood after correction is equal to 1 MoM. The low and high cut-off values ​​of PAPP-A < 0.4 MoM.

2. Notes on quantitative results of PAPP-A

If the PAPP-A level tends to decrease and the nuchal translucency is < 3mm (narrow nuchal translucency has a high value in assessing the risk of chromosomal abnormalities), it is classified as low risk for Down syndrome, Therefore, babies are born with a low risk of Down syndrome. If the fetus has a thick nuchal translucency of 3.5-4.4 mm, the rate of chromosomal abnormalities is 21.1%; If the fetus has a thick nuchal translucency of ≥ 6.5mm, the rate of chromosomal abnormalities is up to 64.5%.
In Edward's syndrome, the level of PAPP-A is reduced and in Patau's syndrome, the level of PAPP-A is low.
If adjusted risk is ≥ 1:100 then considered high risk (positive) and if adjusted risk ≤ 1: 100 is considered low risk (negative).

3. Where is a good PAPP-A test?

PAPP-A test applies to pregnant women from 11 weeks to 13 weeks 5 days and is not contraindicated for anyone.
This is a routine technique at Vinmec Hospital system with the following advantages:
The test runs on Roche's immune system and Beckman Coulter's immune system always adheres to strict test quality management procedures. Strict quality assurance, accurate test quality for effective diagnosis and treatment. Modern machinery such as: Unicel DxI 800 automatic immunoassay analyzer with speed of 400 tests/hour (Beckman Coulter/USA) connected to Power Processor automatic sample transport system. Automated biochemical - immunological testing system with a capacity of 1200 tests/hour Cobas 6000 (e601 + c501) (Roche/Japan). Cobas e411 automatic immunoassay analyzer 80 tests/hour (Roche/Japan). Using the latest calculation software: Vinmec Health System uses software that uses Nasal Bone index (Nasal Bone) to combine support in diagnosing fetal malformations (no Hai Phong hospital has used only this number). Along with a team of doctors and technicians with many years of experience. The PAPP-A test is now included in the routine tests specified in the obstetric examination packages at Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital with the goal of being safe for the mother and the baby's health. These tests are very important for the diagnosis and treatment of obstetricians and gynecologists, especially in pregnant women at high risk of birth defects.

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